Polyamide Fine Fibers

Abstract

One aspect of an improved microfiber and nanofiber properties can be obtained from a novel nylon material. The nylon can comprise a nylon copolymer comprising (diamino-dicyclohexyl)-alkane, preferably bis-(4 amino-cyclohexyl)methane and at least one other nylon monomer. Another aspect of the novel nylon can comprise a poly alkylene oxide-nylon block copolymer. Such a copolymer can contain block copolymer units wherein the block units comprise segments of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or mixtures thereof and a nylon block comprising nylon monomers typically comprise a cyclic lactam, an alpha omega diamine and alpha omega diacid or mixtures thereof.

1 . A fiber comprising a polyamide polymer, the fiber comprising a diameter of about 0.001 to about 5 microns; wherein the polyamide comprises a block copolymer comprising nylon-b-alkylene oxide polymer blocks, the alkylene oxide blocks comprising one or more alkylene oxide monomers and the nylon polymer blocks comprising one or more nylon monomers. 
     
     
         2 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the alkylene oxide block can comprise ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the nylon block can comprise a residue derived from a cyclic lactam, an alpha omega alkylene diamine, an aromatic diamine or an alpha omega alkylene diacid, and an aromatic diacid. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber of  claim 1  where the polyamide block comprises N-modified blocks. 
     
     
         5 . The fibers of  claim 4  where, where the N-modified group comprises N-hydroxyalkyl, N-alkoxyalkyl, N-allyloxyalkyl, N-allyl, N-alkyl, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the diameter of the fiber is about 0.01 to about 2 microns. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber of  claim 1  where the fiber is crosslinked. 
     
     
         8 . A fiber comprising a polyamide polymer, the fiber comprising a diameter of about 0.001 to about 5 microns; wherein the polyamide comprises a nylon copolymer comprising a bis-(amino substituted cycloalkyl)-alkane. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber of  claim 16  wherein the bis-(amino substituted cycloalkyl)-alkane comprises a bis-(4-aminocyclohexyl)-methane, such as the compound: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and at least one other nylon monomer. 
       
     
     
         10 . The fiber of  claim 16  wherein the bis-(amino substituted cycloalkyl)-alkane comprises the compound: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and at least one other nylon monomer. 
       
     
     
         11 . The fiber of  claim 16  wherein the nylon comprises a polyamide comprising adipic acid, ε-caprolactam, hexamethylene diamine and bis(4-aminocyclohexyl)methane. 
     
     
         12 . The fiber of  claim 16  where the fiber is crosslinked. 
     
     
         13 . The fibers of  claim 16  where, where the nylon comprises a N-modified group comprises N-hydroxyalkyl, N-alkoxyalkyl, N-allyloxyalkyl, N-allyl, N-alkyl, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber of  claim 16  wherein the nylon comprises an alkylol or an alkoxyalkyl modified nylon. 
     
     
         15 . A filter medium comprising a layer of fiber and a filter substrate, the fiber comprising a polyamide polymer of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A filter medium comprising a layer of fiber and a filter substrate, the fiber comprising a polyamide polymer, the fiber comprising a polymer of  claim 8   
     
     
         17 . A method of filtering comprising passing a fluid stream having entrained particulate through a filter comprising the filter medium of  claim 15  and removing the particulate. 
     
     
         18 . A method of filtering comprising passing a fluid stream having entrained particulate through a filter comprising the filter medium of  claim 16  and removing the particulate.